He has been working at it for days, and was very proud of the result.
Kuehlmann and I did not conceal from him that he gained nothing by it beyond exciting the people at home against us.

This made a certain impression on him, but it was soon effaced by Ludendorff's congratulations, which followed promptly.

Anyhow, it has rendered the situation more difficult, and there was certainly no need for that.
"_January 15, 1918._--I had a letter to-day from one of our mayors at home, calling my attention to the fact that disaster due to lack of foodstuffs is now imminent.
"I immediately telegraphed the Emperor as follows: "'I have just received a letter from Statthalter N.N.

which justifies all the fears I have constantly repeated to Your Majesty, and shows that in the question of food supply we are on the very verge of a catastrophe.

The situation _arising out of the carelessness and incapacity of the Ministers_ is terrible, and I fear it is already too late to check the total collapse which is to be expected in the next few weeks.